SeasonMapGangneung weather in January
South Korea
January in Gangneung: cold, a little rain, with reliable snow — one of the weakest months to visit.
#12 of 12 months in Gangneung · #1115 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 49/100 (tier F)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Gangneung in January
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Gangneung climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 4°C / 39°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -2°C / 28°F | |
| Sea temperature | 11°C / 52°F | 🥶 cold sea |
| Rainfall | 51 mm / 2 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 5 days | |
| Humidity | 57% | 🍃 comfortable |
| Dew point | -8°C / 18°F | |
| Sunshine | 7.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.9 h | |
| Wind | 17 km/h / 11 mph | |
| Snowfall | 15.7 cm / 6.2 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 54 | 🙂 moderate |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Gangneung in January
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsGangneung Christmas Winter Festival, Jeongdongjin New Year sunrise, Winter break (gyeoul banghak) in South Korea(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Gangneung's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherGangneung's weather peaks April–June.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Gangneung in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Gangneung Christmas Winter Festival
24 Nov – 31 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedWolhwa Street and the Anmok Coffee Street cafes light up from a late-November tree-lighting through the new year, with a snow-flower tunnel, a Christmas market and craft workshops on the busiest weekends. Source ↗
- Festival
Jeongdongjin New Year sunrise
30 Dec – 2 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook earlyHalf of Seoul comes east on the night train to watch the first sunrise of the year from the beach at Jeongdongjin. Every room on this coast is taken and the road back is solid by mid-morning. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Gangneung — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Gangneung?
Gangneung in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Gangneung?
- January in Gangneung: cold, a little rain, with reliable snow — one of the weakest months to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Gangneung on SeasonMap's comfort score (49/100).
- What is the weather like in Gangneung in January?
- In January, Gangneung averages a daily high of 4.1°C and a low of -2.1°C, with about 51 mm of rain over roughly 5.4 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Gangneung in January?
- Gangneung has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 54 in January.
- Does it snow in Gangneung in January?
- Gangneung sees roughly 15.7 cm of snowfall in January.
Other months in Gangneung
Compare Gangneung in January
Warmer or cooler than Gangneung in January
Similar destinations in East Asia — January
Within 300 km: Seoul's Ski season an hour out around 10 Dec – 5 Mar.